Justice Antonin Scalia has just passed away. He apparently died in his sleep, doing something he loved (hunting).

I got to know Justice Scalia a bit when my daughter Rebecca clerked for him three years ago.I got to know an incredibly principled man, a hard worker, a tremendous father, a man who has changed this country tremendously and for the better.

Just as he died he had scheduled the annual reunion of his clerks, who are ferociously loyal to him (this loyalty won't surprise anyone who ever knew the Justice).

The Justice's death will change the rhetoric of the Presidential campaign in both parties. I doubt President Obama will succeed in naming his successor, given the divided government he faces -- it has been 80 years, by my count, since a Justice was sworn in during an election year. Rather, the new President will have this task on his or her plate. Meanwhile, it's hard to see how the court will function with eight Justices until next year -- there are just too many important and controversial issues to be decided from the Circuit courts.

Justice Antonin Scalia's memory will live on, and will be for a blessing to all Americans who care about the Rule of Law. My profound sympathies to his family.